Imagine biting into a perfectly golden, incredibly crispy chicken breast that's so crunchy it makes your taste buds dance with joy - without the guilt of deep-frying! This Air Fryer Crispy Onion Chicken is about to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine, delivering maximum flavor and irresistible texture in just 40 minutes. Whether you're a busy home cook or a culinary enthusiast looking for a quick and impressive meal, this recipe will transform your air fryer into a gourmet cooking machine that'll have everyone asking, "How did you make this?"
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve maximum crispiness.
- Create three separate breading stations: • First bowl: Mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper • Second bowl: Whisk eggs until well beaten • Third bowl: Crush crispy fried onions into fine, even crumbs
- Dredge each chicken breast first in seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Then dip completely into beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage.
- Roll the egg-coated chicken into crushed crispy onions, pressing gently to help onion crumbs adhere completely to the chicken's surface.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for approximately 3-4 minutes to ensure proper cooking temperature.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent chicken from sticking.
- Place breaded chicken breasts in air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other for even air circulation.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning and crispy exterior.
- Check internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer for food safety.
- Remove chicken from air fryer, let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, then serve hot.
Tips
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness and better coating adhesion.
- Use fresh, high-quality crispy fried onions for the most intense flavor and crunchiest texture.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - give each chicken breast enough space for even cooking and crispy edges.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and perfectly cooked chicken every time.
- Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender interior.
- For extra flavor, experiment with different seasoning blends in your flour mixture, like adding cayenne for heat or dried herbs for complexity.
- If your chicken breasts are thick, consider pounding them to an even thickness before breading to ensure uniform cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 140mg
